Bubbling Under: Robert DeLong Brings EDM To Alternative

Each Friday, Billboard presents "Bubbling Under," a weekly look at new and noteworthy acts making their way toward Billboard chart success. Up this week: Robert DeLong, Matt Hires, Tate Stevens and Drop City Yacht Club

Robert DeLongNamed an "artist to watch" by Billboard.com in January, EDM act Robert DeLong makes good on that recognition, as he debuts on Alternative Songs with "Global Concepts." The 26-year-old's track appears on his recently-released album "Just Movement" (ATG/Glassnote), which reached No. 18 on Dance/Electronic Albums. Next up, DeLong will play the Ultra Music Festival (March 23) and Coachella (April 14, 21).

Matt HiresTampa, Fla., singer/songwriter Matt Hires is approaching the Adult Pop Songs and Triple A airplay charts with "Restless Heart" (F-Stop/Atlantic), the first single from his EP "Forever," which entered Folk Albums at No. 11 last week. The song, which has drawn comparisons to Mumford & Sons for its vocals and instrumentation, has also received exposure via the "Star Craft II" video game trilogy. Hires is serving as matchbox twenty's opening act during the band's U.S. tour throughout March.

Tate StevensTate Stevens, winner of the second season of Fox's "The X Factor" last year, is poised to impact the Nielsen BDS-fueled Country Airplay chart with "Power of a Love Song" (SYCO/RCA Nashville), which logged spins at 18 of the ranking's 127 reporters during the Feb. 18-24 tracking week. Stevens has also registered exposure in a Pepsi commercial featuring his performance of "Holler If You're With Me"; the spot aired during the Grammy Awards (Feb. 10), after which the track dented the Feb. 23 Hot Country Songs chart (No. 50). The Missouri native's self-titled debut album is due April 23.

Drop City Yacht ClubCalifornia-based rap trio Drop City Yacht Club approaches the Rhythmic airplay chart with its Jeremih-assisted "Crickets" (Exit 8/A&M/Octone/Interscope). XHTZ San Diego and KKFR Phoenix lead the push with 29 and 27 spins, respectively, for the song last week. Formerly known collectively as the Freshmen, rappers Kristo, A. Wolf and producer THX blend genres, describing themselves as a "middle ground between the Beastie Boys and the Beach Boys."